The Theological Dickens

This collection explores Charles Dickens' views on Christian faith, addressing his antipathies towards Dissenters, Evangelicals, Catholics, and Jews, as well as his thoughts on Unitarianism and Protestantism. It also examines his portrayal of social issues such as poverty and charity, children, graveyards, labor, scientific controversy, and other topics, and considers the neo-Victorian multi-media representations of his work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 274 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking collection delves into the extensive and diverse range of opinions held by Charles Dickens regarding the applications and misusages of the fundamental principles of Christian faith that permeated English Victorian society. While previous research has explored his well-documented antipathies towards Dissenters, Evangelicals, Catholics, and Jews, it has also yielded differing interpretations of his thoughts on Unitarianism and speculated on the doctrines of Protestantism that he either endorsed or rejected. Moreover, the contributors to this volume not only examine Dickens' portrayal of these religious groups but also identify gaps in scholarship and unresolved issues related to poverty and charity, representations of children, graveyards, labor, scientific controversies, and other social concerns. Furthermore, in light of the enduring influence of Dickens' texts on generations worldwide, a timely inclusion in this collection is a consideration of the neo-Victorian multi-media representations of his work and his ideas on theological questions tailored to a postmodern society.

Charles Dickens, the renowned author of Victorian literature, possessed a profound and multifaceted perspective on the role of Christianity in shaping English society during the 19th century. His writings, characterized by their vivid descriptions and intricate characterizations, reflected his deep-seated beliefs and concerns about the Christian faith. This collection, the first of its kind, aims to explore Dickens' extensive and varied opinions on the uses and abuses of the tenets of Christian faith that permeated English Victorian culture.

While previous studies have examined Dickens' well-known antipathies towards Dissenters, Evangelicals, Catholics, and Jews, they have also disagreed about his thoughts on Unitarianism and speculated on the doctrines of Protestantism that he endorsed or rejected. The contributors to this volume seek to address these gaps in scholarship and provide a comprehensive analysis of Dickens' theological concerns.

In addition to examining Dickens' depiction of these religious groups, the volumes contributors locate gaps in scholarship and unresolved illuminations about poverty and charity, representations of children, graveyards, labor, scientific controversy, and other social issues through an investigation of Dickens' theological concerns.

Furthermore, given that Dickens' texts continue to influence every generation around the globe, a timely inclusion in the collection is a consideration of the neo-Victorian multi-media representations of Dickens' work and his ideas on theological questions pitched to a postmodern society.

Through a meticulous examination of his writings, this collection offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between Charles Dickens and the Christian faith, shedding light on the ways in which he both embraced and critiqued the principles of his time.

Weight: 526g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032122830